George Baldock expressed regret at missing son's first birthday just hours before tragic death

Former Sheffield United and Panathinaikos defender George Baldock had told team-mates that it was "a bit s***" that he wasn't able to see his son on his first birthday shortly before his tragic death

George Baldock was sad that he would not be present for his son's first birthday on the day of his death, one of his former Panathinaikos team-mates has said.

The former Sheffield United star and Greece international tragically passed away earlier this month at the age of 31 after drowning in the swimming pool at his villa in Glyfada.

It emerged that Baldock was set to fly back to England to see his fiancee, Annabel, and their son, Brody, to celebrate his first birthday the day after his untimely death.

Shortly before Baldock passed away, he spent time at Panathinaikos' training ground to rehab a minor injury. He also spent time in the sauna with Alexander Jeremejeff and Erik Palmer-Brown, who recalled their final moments with him.

The pair referenced Baldock as the "father of the year" - an inside joke between them - though it had extra meaning given it was his son's first birthday. Palmer-Brown went on to share Baldock's regret at the fact he was not with him, telling The Athletic that he had said: "But it’s a bit s*** I’m not there."

He relayed that he was excited to be travelling back to England to see his fiancee and son the following day. But his death was sadly confirmed just hours later.

Defender Bart Schenkeveld dropped Baldock home that evening and was one of the final people to see him. Baldock's close friend, Hordur Magnusson, was in disbelief and went to the player's villa after hearing the news of his passing.

He said: "I went to try to help because I didn’t believe that George was dead.

"But when I saw 20 police guys on motorbikes outside his house, and the ambulance as well, the club staff members and the investigative police going inside, then I realised: ‘F***. He’s gone.’"

Baldock's former Sheffield United team-mate, Oli McBurnie, has revealed how hard the news has hit him and others, who will do whatever they can to let his son know what an "amazing person his dad was."

"George loved his missus and his little boy so much. They’re the people in this that I really feel sorry for," McBurnie said. "I know how hard it’s been for me and some of the other boys who love him, but little Brody is going to grow up and never know what a top man his dad was.

"Me and the boys have said that it’s our duty to be part of his life and try to remind him at every opportunity how much of an amazing person his dad was."

Sheffield United paid tribute to Baldock before their match with Leeds on Friday night, where he was honoured with a minute's applause.